Search - Willie Neal Johnson & Gospel Keynotes :: Best of

Larger than a legacy, higher than the stars, heaven knows...

Eurlee Quincia Fuflford | Selma, Alabama USA | 04/18/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was born in Selma, Al in 1975 and my family moved to New york in 1977. I can remember Willie myself as a child from "Heavens' Train, Sweet Revival and on to my favorites "Don't Wait for the Hearse" and "To Be More Like Jesus". Willie was the epitome to me for gospel music. My parents have taken their family of 12 even so much in waist high snow in NYC to just see Willie Perform with the Keynotes and when I began to be old enough beginning around 12 years old I began to ask Robert, Teddy Val and available group members the correct lyrics I couldn't understand after the show beginning with "Halleluia, we made it over at last, Glory to his name, we made it over at last" in "Just a Rehearsal", I also know that every summer in August in Rhinebeck NY at the Dutchess County Fair The Gospel Keynotes would perform on the last sunday of the fair in a tent every year that I can remember and at a school in Poughkeepsie NY each November and that is when I began to acknowledge their taste in dress with their matching hanks, ties, and socks with which Willie was supposed to have a set for me the following year, but we relocated to Selma. This past year in 2003 The New Keynotes came and performed at Second Baptist Church here in Selma, Al and I must apologize to one of the members' he should know who he is and if he should read..."MY BADDDD" Teddy and that group I must say have been through many ups and downs but I believe that Willie reared them in the best way he ever could've and when he always said "See I don't have what you call good sense yall... and I'm not afraid to let the world know that I've been born again whooaaaah!! with the rubbing of his low cut groomed fro and the swinging of the hanky which I also have an autographed copy. The Keynotes will be the heart ans soul of my salvation because if I didn't sing one song at that concert Teddy conducted and Norris sang the most gospel rendition of "Walk around Heaven" I probably will never hear it sang like that in my life again and I am the most grateful 28 year old, single mother, black female for even being that blessed to have been there to witness it for myself and I almost didn't make it. My only discrepency is that Saturday is the Seventh day Sabbath if any questions please read Matt 28 concerning "He is Risen" (Easter Sunday)not to get religious but that group has come a long way to have being nominated for Stellar Awards to traveling in freezing snow to perform something that I believe they love to do. I hope for the Keynotes the best in the years to come and for those who haven't seen them in concert. Please do. That is the greatest fulfillment you will ever see for yourself. I pray that they will have many safe travels and no, no one can never call anyone to sing like Willie and that is why I would say larger than a legacy because no one but God could have called Willie Neal Johnson to lead a group such as The Gospel Keynotes and even though Willie is now gone, The New Gospel Keynotes will carry Willie's memories and songs "You Brought Me Out, Lord Don't Ever Leave Me, Send A Revival, One More Time, Jesus You've Been Good To Me, Hold On (Charles McClain and Robert lead) 2 versions This group is why I will always appreciate My gospel groups amd Music along with Williams Brothers, Jackson Southernaires, Winans, Commissioned, Be Be & Ce Ce, Richard Smallwood, Daryl Coley, John P.Kee, Kirk, Yolanda and Shirley Caesar etc... Will Be my highway to Heaven....Thank you for this opportunity to share with the world my love for the group The Gospel Keynotes, Teddy, With God I'm Satisfied and I promise not to Wait for the Hearse. I enjoyed you all emmencely and as soon as I can I will send the group a copy of the pictures if you get a chance to read these comments. You know these things are true. What could have been a better name than KEYNOTES...? Absolutely nothing. Eurlee Quincia Fulford- Selma, Al"

The Best Of The Best

Duck | Waldorf MD. USA | 03/26/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm also a big fan of the Keynotes.I think Willie Neal Johnson is the best of the best.There will be no other like him.They have so many hit songs I do not have a favorite.But If realy had to choose it would be [Walk Around Heaven]with [Paul Beasley]. Paul is also one of the best. nobody can hold a note as long as Paul. From what I understand Paul is the lead singer of the Keynotes now. I'm sure he won't let us down. [Joe Duckett]"

Keynotes

BARRY A KELLY | DOVER, DE United States | 08/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a huge fan of the gospel keynotes for years and i wish malaco records or mca records would go into there vault and reprint ALL of the gospel keynotes songs from 1976 to present. I'm sure fans like myself would pay good money for the collection. I've been searching for 15 years now and can't find the old keynotes songs."